Fire hose nozzle



c. F. BECKER ETAL 2,307,014

Jan. 5, 1943'.

FIRE HOSE NOZZLE Filed Nov. 2, 1939 2 16.1 3 33' 4 28 6 l4 l3 604 47 53 Z9 FT M F 27 44 49 lfa 5, y 7 l 48 26 Q 36 4 INVENTORS CHARLES 1". BECKER Hsxessnr G. Ens-P1. uvq- Patented Jan. 5, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE 23.7,"!

FIBE HOSE NOZZLE Charles F. Becker and Herbert G. ltiepling,

Martinez,

application November The invention, in general, relates to means for controlling the delivery of water or other fluid from a hose, conduit, tube or the like. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved nozzle especially suitable for use in connection with fire hoses and affording diversified forms of fluid dispersion at the will of the user.

In recent years considerable attention has been directed to scientific methods of fire fighting in minimize the danger to those combatting fires as well as to reduce the volume of water required to subdue a blaze coupled with the most effective means of controlling a confiagration. It IS now almost universally accepted by those directly concerned with these problems that while certain types of forms of water applications are most effective for controlling a given confiagration, such as a water fog in the fighting of a paint, an oil or like fire, many of these mown specific forms of water applications are not the greatest nor, in some cases, even any protection to the firemen besides being quite wasteful of water. Efilciency in fire fighting, in short, involves not only the saving of property but also the saving of lives or avoidance of personal injury as well as the economic factor of saving of water, and losses to property by water damage. I

Heretoiore, several types of fire hose nozzles have been devised for the purpose of affording a water fog application where desirable. At relatively high pressures, the prior nozzles are fairly effective but under the non'nal pressures under which the average fire department operates, such nozzles create sprays rather than water fogs with either an undesirable or no efiect at all towards controlling a given fire. Due to inherent limitations of many of these nozzles, they do not lend themselves to the most eifective methods of fire control where diversified forms of water are required. Moreover, these S applications called fog nozzles are not readily adjustable for quick change-overs from one form of water application-to another. nozzles afiord but a hollow, feathering straight stream, rather than a solid, straight stream, with the result that the water is carried away from a blaze by the wind instead of impinging directly upon the fire.

A primary object of our invention is to provide a fire hose nozzle which affords diversified forms of water applications at the will of the user to meet practically all fire situations.

Another object of the invention is to provide indicated nature which is addia nozzle of the 2, 1939, Serial No. 302,522

2 claims. (01. 299-145) tionally characterized by simple and easy operable means affording quick change-overs from one form of water application to another.

'A still further object of our invention provide a firehose nozzle which affords effective control of a fire with a minimum of water and a consequent reduction in damage to property from water.

Another object of the invention is to provide 10. a nozzle of the aforementioned character which to provide a nozzle of therefrom for dispersing is dependable, which is readily adapted to all conventional fire hoses, and which is of simple and inexpensiveconstruction. e

A still further objectv of our improvement is the indicated nature which afiords maximum protection to fire fighters.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved fire hose nozzle incorporating means for readily and rapidly delivering a water fog dense smoke, absorbing of toxic gases as well as for cooling the atmosphere adjacent the blaze.. A still further Object of the invention is to provide a nozzle of the indicated nature which is further characterized by the incorporation of means affording reduced resistance to manipulation of the fog adjustment member so that rapid and facile adjustment can be had.

Other objects of the invention, together with some of the advantageous features thereof, will precise embodiment preferred Further, many of these showing the straight bodiment of the invention taken on causing the fluid to flow in appear from the following description of a preierred embodiment of our invention which is depicted in the accompanying drawing. It is to be understood that we are not to be limited to the shown, as our invention, as defined in the appended claims, can be embodled in a plurality and variety of forms.

Referring to the drawinsf Figure '1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a embodiment of the invention, this view showing the fog dispersing orifice closed.

Figure 2 is a view thereof taken on the section line 2-4 of Figure 1 showing the fog and curtain dispersing orifice open, this view also stream fiow partially closed.

Figure 3 is a view or of the invention taken'on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is another view of the preferred emthe'line 4--4 of Figure 1.

,In its preferred form,

tion preferably comprises a body through which a fluid may be passed, means in said body for different paths of the preferred embodiment the nozzle of our inven-.

which one is a substantially straight path axially of said body, an inner conduit for directing the egress of fluid in a solid straight stream, means for controlling the egress of the fluid from said inner conduit, means for imparting a whirling motion to the fluid flowing other than in a subsubstantially straight path. To this end. the inner body I! is formed with a pair of diametrically opposite ports 2| and 22, the centers of which preferably are on the longitudinal axis of hollow stantially straight path in said body, and adjustable means for controlling the egress of the fluid to which a whirling motion has been imparted; adjustment of said last named means permitting the emission of the fluid either in fog or in ourtain form or in both forms simultaneously for association, when desired, with the fluid emitted in a solid straight stream from said inner conduit.

While we have hereinabove indicated that the improved nozzle of our invention is adaptable to a variety of industrial applications, the nozzle is especially suitable for use in conjunction with fire hoses and we shall. accordingly. describe the same in that environment and with respect to the emission of diversified forms of water applications so desirable for combatting conflagrations.

As particularly illustrated in- Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, the nozzle is provided with two separate orifices including an axially orifice I for emitting the solid. straight stream phase of the water applications, and a variable annular orifice I for emitting water fog and water curtain phases. Means are provided in the nozzle for directing water. introduced under pressure thereinto into different paths for emission from the orifices i and I, and means are also provided for positively controlling the egress ofwater from such orifices. i

In accordance with our invention, we provide a hollow body whichpreierably is cast from a suitable metal, such as bronze, and which conveniently is provided with a relatively wide inlet l2 through which water under pressure from a fire hosemaybeintroducedintothebody H with a minimum of'obetructlon. The casting H, of course can be madeto any desired shape and to any desired dimensions, being understood that diflerent sizes of bodies H and completed nozzles embodying our invention will he r quired for the various sizes ofstandard fire hoses. As shown, the body conveniently is formed with an internally threaded flange l3 ad- Jacent the inlet l2 for enabling ready connection of the body II with the conventional threaded coupling member carried by the. standard fire mounted by threaded engagement on the hollowhose, all not shown. The flange i3 defines an interior annular shoulder H for receiving a suit-,

able washer It to insure against leakage at the joint between the body or casting ii and the fire hose coupling member.

The means which we preferably provide within the body II for directing the water delivered thereto from the fire hose into difl'erent paths for ultimate egress from the nozzle in fog or our-- tain phases through orifice 1, as well as from the nozzle in a full, solid, straight stream phase through orifice 8, include an inner body- I! which may be formed integral with the casting H and which transversely spans the same, as indicated in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawing. The structural relationship between the bodies II and I! is such that there is provided therebetween passages l3 and IS on opposite sides of the body see Figure body II, and the inner body also is so formed as to provide a chamber 23 therein which is adapted to movably receive a plug cock 24 having a transverse bore 26 therein. Preferably the walls of chamber 23 are tapered and the plug cook 24' also is tapered correspondingly to insure a relatively tight fit between these elements, as indicated in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawing. As illustrated, plug cook 24 carries a squared nut 21 upon which is loosely fitted a swivel member 28, the latter being journaled in a bearing plug 29 detachably body Suitable packing 3| is inserted between plug cook 24 and the swivel member 28 and bearing plug 29 to prevent leakage of water at this Joint. The manner of connecting swivel member 28 to plug cook 24 and the bearing plug 29 to the body aflords maximum protection against freezing of the plug cook 24 should the nozzle be accidentally dropped, since these elements are not sidlv mechanically connected and the packing or gasket 3| absorbs the shock.

Actuation of swivel member 23 in one direction will bring the bore 28 of plug cook 24 into registry with the ports of the inner body I! while move-' ment of the swivel member 28 in the opposite direction will take the bore of the plug out of registry with inlet and outlet ports 2| and 22, respectively, of the inner body l1. Since the ports 2| and 22 of the inner body are disposed axially of hollow body H and in line with its inlet I2, it is clear that with the bore 29 of plug cook 24 in registry with the ports 2| and 22 water delivered from the flre hose will flow in substantially a straight path through inlet 2, inlet port 2| of the inner body l1, through bore 29 of the plug cock and out of the outlet 22 of the inner body II.

It is apparent that the swivel member 28 01' the valve control means can be adjusted as desired so as to permit either full volume flow, a partial or no flow at all in substantially a straight path. Any suitable meanscan be utilized for actuating the valve that controls flow of water in the substantially straight path through inner body IT. In the embodiment illustrated, we have provided a swivel handle 32 which preferably is bifurcated, as shown, with one arm 33 of the handle fastened in any suitable manner, such as by screws, to the swivel member 28 and its other arm 34 pivoted on screws 36 engaging a plug 31 at the opposite side of the body II and fastened thereto by a screw 38. The swivel member 23 conveniently is recessed for receiving the inner end of arm 33 of swivel handle 32. It is to be understood that any other desired means can be employed for connecting the handle to the swivel member or for moving plug cook 24. Preferably, suitable stops, not shown, are provided on the plug 31 as well as on the arm 34 of the handle 32 for limiting the movement of the connected swivel member 28, these stops being located at predetermined points so that full swing of swivel member 28 in one direction of movement will exactly register the bore 26 of the plug cock 24 with the ports 2| and 22 of inner body l1, while full swing of the swivel member 28 in the opposite direction will take the bore 28 completely out oi registry with such ports.

In addition to inner body II for directing flow of the water delivered to the nozzle, we provide an inner conduit 4| for conducting water flowing in substantially a straight path for egress from orifice 6. Preferably, the tube or conduit is tapered longitudinally towardthe tip thereof so that the inner wall of the conduit functions to direct the water. traveling therethrough towards the center of the stream, thus insuring a full or solid, non-feathery straight stream. In addition,

the inner conduit 4| preferably is made cylindrical adjacent its outer extremity withya fiat outer end so as to prevent burrs or champering at the end of the conduit should the nozzle be accidentally dropped so as to strike the end of the tube. As shown, conduit 4| is detachably connected to inner body l1 and placed in .communication with its outlet port 22 through the m..-

dium of a hollow boss 42 formed on body I1, the.

boss being internally threaded for receiving the externally threaded inner end of tube 4|. With the tube in position, it is clear that water passing through the inner body l1, through bore 29 of the plug cock and out of the outlet port 22 of the inner body will pass through the conduit 4| and be emitted from the nozzle through the orifice 6 which is the mouth of the tube or conduit 4|. Preferably, the tube 4| is made circular in see Figure 1 of the drawing, from which it is projected upon a helix 46 which serves to impart a whirling motion to the water following. this path. Helix 46 preferably is formed integral with the conduit 4| and is milled so as to provide a plurality of inclined vanes or convolutions 41 equally spaced apart, as shown, and the grooves 48 between the vanes 41 are preferably cut at an angle of approximately 45, although this 'angle can be varied depending upon the rotary or whirling characteristics of water desired. After passing the fixed helix 46, the water is directed by means of. a tapered inner cone 49 toward the longitudinal axis of the nozzle to impinge upon a bead formed on the external surface of inner conduit 4| adjacent the tip 52 thereof. Bead 5| preferably is formed to the shape illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing to afford the most efiective fog and water curtain characteristics, the bead extending entirely around conduit and having a sloping or tapering portion terminating at the tip 52 of the inner conduit. The tapered means of'extemal screw threads on the cone and internal screw threads on the adjustment member, the latter being a hollow body encompassing both the inner conduit or tube 4| and the inner tapering cone 49, and being tapered toward the tip of the nozzle, as showm, An opening 51 is formed in adjustmentmember 56 and the inner surface of the member adjacent its mouth or opening I! seats'upon the bead 5| of the inner conduit 4| when the adjustment member is moved or screwed onto the cone 49 to its farthest extent, thus closing orifice 1 completely, see Figure 1 of the drawing. Unscrewing of the adjustment member it away from the body -l| opens and enlarges. the orifice .I to any extent desired, it being clear that a minute orifice or a relatively wide orifice I can be provided at will. Preferably, the number and size of the threads on the inner cone 4! and the adjustment member 56 are such that one full revolution of the adjustment member will effects. complete closing of the orifice 1 and a shut-oi! of both the water fog and water curtain phases ofwater applications. An abutment,

cone 49, which directs the water passing through helix 46 onto the bead 5|, conveniently is pro-- vided with screw threads for detachably connecting the cone to the hollow body l., which likewise is screw threaded, as shown, and thus access to the interior of the nozzle is afforded. A suitable gasket 53 is provided at the joint between cone 49 and the body II.

The combination of helix 46, tapering inner cone 49 and bead II control the quality or'characteristics of the water fog and water phase of water applications-to a large extent. However, in addition to the foregoing enumerated elements, we provide an adjustment member 59 for controlling the volume of, water emitted from the nozzle for the water fog'gand water curtain phases and also affecting the quality or characteristics of these forms of applications' The adjustment member 88- is movably mounted on cone 49'by 76 which may take the form of an annular rib 58 provided on inner cone 49, conveniently serves, in conjunction with a set screw 59 that pierces the adjustment member II, as a stop for the outward travel or movement of the adjustment member and-thus avoids unintentional removal of such member from the nozzle. .To facilitate manipulation of the adjustment member, a plurality of spaced, notched ribs 99 are conveniently provided on the exterior surface of the adjustment member, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the 7 drawing. If desired, the ribs 69 can be eliminated and the external surface merely knurled in lieu thereof and for the same purpose.

As illustrated particularly in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, means are provided not only for effecting a water seal between the inner cone 49 and the adjustment member 56 but also for facilitating relative movement therebetween against the pressure .0! the water delivered'to and flowing through the nozzle. This pressure in a fire hose operating under average fire fighting facilities normally ranges between 90# and 200# per square-inch. The means that we preferably employ to this and consists of av square shaped rubber gasket or ring 8| which is securely fitted into an annular square cut recess that is formed in the inner cone 49 adjacent its outer end. .The disposition of the rubber gasket 6| is critical since it' has been found that .the closer that the ring I is disposed to the outer end'of the cone 4!, the less resistance to turning move-' ment of the adjustment member 5! is had. For, as is: clear from thetapered form of the inner cone, the closer the gasket is located to the outer end of the cone, the less will be its diameten By actual test, we have observed that the location of the ring at'the narrowest point of the cone to provide a ring ll of a minimum diameter affords approximately one-fourth to onethird of the resistance to turning movement of the adjustment member I56 that a rin or gasket of approximately twice the diameter will afford.

In order that damage to the tip of the nozzle be avoided should the nozzle be accidentally dropped, we have provided a rubber bumper 68 thereon which conveniently is press-fitted or sprung into a recess formed in the external surface of the adjustment member 58 adjacent the outer end or tip thereof.

Q, In operation, the nozzle of our invention as nozzle can be turned to oil position and the adjustment member moved outwardly a slight distance to afford a minute orifice I, the water introduced into the nozzle in the main traveling through chamber 44, past the helix 48 to be directed by the inner cone 49 onto the bead ii of the conduit 4i and to emerge from orifice I in a solid or dense, finely" dispersed fog of cone or hour-glass shape. In this position of the adjustment member 58, the plug cook 25 can be slightly turned to permit asmall volume of water to pass through inner. body I! and the inner conduit 4i for egress from orifice B in a straight stream which will serve as a carrier for the water fog emitted from orifice 1. Further turning or moving of the adjustment member 5| outwardly will widen or enlarge the orifice I and the hourglass effect of the water fog will disappear while in its place a water curtain will be produced. If the plug cook 24 is so turned that a full straight, solid stream is emitted from orifice 6, a combination of water curtain and-a straight, solid stream is produced, the curtain ,acting to afford a non-feathery straight, solid stream. The curtain has been found to be an effective protection to firemen as it serves to cool the.

atmosphere adjacent the blaze in addition 'to dispersing dense smoke. Complete inward movement of the adjustment-member 58,'of course, shuts off both the water fog and water curtain phases of water applications, and it is clear that a full or solid, straight stream can'be obtained independently by opening the valve, or placing the bore 26 of the plug cock 24 in full registry with the ports of the inner body l1. Hence, the

- different types of water phases can be used independently or in a variety of combinations and the diversified forms or types are readily obtainable by simple manipulations.

It is to be understood that the appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents commensurate in scope with the advance made over the prior art.

We claim:

1. A fire hose nozzle comprising a hollow body having an inlet for receiving a volume of fiowing water under pressure, a valve body within said hollow, body and having inlet and outlet ports therein for passing a portion of the water in substantially a straight path; said valve body efiecting diversion of a portion of the water around the same, a valve in said valve body controlling tion with the outlet port of said valve body and defining a first orifice of the nozzle, a bead on the exterior surface of said tube adjacent said first orifice, said bead converging toward the exterior of the nozzle and terminating at the tip of said inner tube, means for directing water flowing around said valve body onto said bead, and an adjustable member having an outlet movably mounted on said last named means and defining in conjunction with said inner tube a second orifice for emission ofv water flowing around said valve body; movement of said adjustable member controlling the egress of water from said second orifice, said member having an inner wall containing a substantially straight portion adjacent to said outlet which merges with an inwardly diverging portion and said wall seating on said bead at the juncture of said straight and diverging portions of said wall to close said second ori 2. A fire hose nozzle adapted to disperse diversified forms of water, said nozzle comprising a hollow body having an inlet, means for diverting water introduced into said 'body through said inlet into a plurality of paths of which one is a substantially straight path; an inner conduit in communication with said means; said inner conduit having an outlet from which water is emitted in a substantially straight, solid stream, means for controlling the emission of water from said outlet of said conduit, a bead on said conduit adjacent to the outlet thereof; said bead converging to-- ward the axis of said conduit and terminating adjacent the tip thereof, means on said conduit for imparting a whirling motion to the water fiowing in paths other than the substantially straight path, a tapering cone surrounding said conduit and detachably secured to said body; said cone terminating adjacent to said bead so as to direct the whirling water over said bead, and a hollow member having an outlet movably mounted on said cone and defining a variable orifice around said bead for the egress of water to which a whirling motion is imparted; said member being adapt- CHARLES F. BECKER. HERBERT G. REPLING. 

